Stick and coupler assembly

ABSTRACT

An assembly for detachably connecting an implement to a boom of a machine is disclosed. The assembly may include a stick and a coupler. The stick may have a first end portion configured for pivotal connection to the boom. The stick may also have a second end portion narrower than the first end portion. The coupler may be configured for detachably connecting the implement to the second end portion of the stick.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a stick and couplerassembly, and more particularly to an assembly that includes a stick anda coupler for detachably connecting an implement (e.g., bucket, etc.) toa boom of a machine (e.g., an excavator, a backhoe, etc.).

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Excavators, backhoes, and other machines commonly have a movable linkagefor controlling motion of an implement, such as a bucket, blade, hammer,grapple, fork arrangement, etc. A coupler may be used to increase thefunctionality and versatility of a machine by allowing differentimplements to be interchangeably connected to a stick or arm of themachine.

For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2014/0294497discloses a coupler having a locking system. The coupler may be used forconnecting an implement to a stick of a machine. Although existingcouplers have worked well, the inventors hereof have recognized thepossibility for improving existing stick and coupler assemblies.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an assembly fordetachably connecting an implement to a boom of a machine. The assemblymay include a stick and a coupler. The stick may have a first endportion configured for pivotal connection to the boom. The stick mayalso have a second end portion narrower than the first end portion alongfirst and second sides of the stick. The coupler may be configured fordetachably connecting the implement to the second end portion of thestick. The coupler may include first and second side plates. The firstside plate may have a thickness about equal to a difference in a widthof the second end portion and the first end portion along the firstside. The second side plate may have a thickness about equal to adifference in a width of the second end portion and the first endportion along the second side.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a stick forconnecting a pin grabber coupler with a boom of a machine. The stick mayinclude an end portion configured for pivotal connection to the boom ofthe machine. The stick may also include a nose configured for connectionwith the pin grabber coupler. The nose may be narrower than the endportion along first and second sides of the stick thereby allowing aframe of the pin grabber coupler to be configured to define first andsecond face spreads for attaching the pin grabber coupler respectivelyto the nose and to an implement without any offset between the first andsecond face spreads.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a pin grabbercoupler for detachably connecting an implement to a stick of a machine.The pin grabber coupler may include a frame defining first and secondface spreads for attaching the pin grabber coupler respectively to anose of the stick and to the implement without any offset between thefirst and second face spreads.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an excavator including a coupler and a stickaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, andshowing a bucket connected to the stick by the coupler;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the stick, coupler, and bucketshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stick shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the stick and the linkageshown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of the coupler shown in FIGS. 2 and3;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the coupler shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the coupler shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 including alocking system; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of the coupler shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an excavator 110 (broadly,a machine). The excavator 110 includes a boom 120, a stick or arm 124pivotally connected to the boom 120, and a pin grabber coupler 140(broadly, a coupler). As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, a bucket 118(broadly, an implement) is detachably connected to a nose or end portion144 of the stick 124 via the coupler 140.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates the stick 124 and coupler 140 being usedwith the excavator 110, the stick 124 and coupler 140 may be used withother mobile machines or fixed machines. For example, the stick 124 andcoupler 140 may be used with other earth moving machines, such as abackhoe, etc. Similarly, FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 shows the coupler 140connecting the bucket 118 to the stick 124. The coupler 140 may also beused for connecting other implements to the stick 124, such as a blade,hammer, grapple, fork arrangement, other work tool attachments etc.Accordingly, the stick and coupler assemblies disclosed herein (e.g.,stick 124 and coupler 140, etc.) should not be limited to use with anyone particular type of machine or implement.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, hydraulic cylinders 122, 128, 130are controllable via an operator station 116 of the excavator 110 tomove the bucket 118. More specifically, the boom 120 is verticallypivotal relative to a frame 133 of the excavator 110 about a boom axis121 by the pair of hydraulic cylinders 122. The stick 124 is verticallypivotal about a stick axis 126 by the hydraulic cylinder 128. The bucket118 is vertically pivotal about an axis 132 by the hydraulic cylinder130. The opposing ends of the hydraulic cylinder 130 are connected tothe stick 124 and the linkage 131 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The linkage131 is coupled to the stick 124 and the coupler 140 as also shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stick 124 includes left and right opposing sides134, 136 and openings 137, 139, 141 extending between the opposing sides134, 136. The opening 137 is configured for receiving a pin for couplingthe boom 120 to the stick 124 as shown in FIG. 1. The openings 139, 141are configured for receiving pins for respectively coupling the linkage131 and the coupler 140 to the stick 124 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The stick 124 includes a first end portion 142 configured for pivotalconnection to the boom 120. The stick 124 also includes a second endportion or nose 144 narrower than the first end portion 142 along thefirst and second sides 134, 136 of the stick 124.

In this exemplary embodiment, the stick 124 includes first and secondside (or shoulder or step) portions 146, 148 along the respective firstand second sides 134, 136 of the stick 124 between the first and secondend portions 142, 144. The first and second side portions 146, 148 areangled inwardly toward each other in a direction from the first endportion 142 towards the second end portion 144. Stated differently, eachof the first and second side portions 146, 148 are angled inwardlyrelative to the respective first and second sides 134, 136 along thefirst end portion 142 at an angle less than or equal to ninety degrees.Accordingly, the width between the first side portion 146 and the secondside portion 148 decreases in a direction from the first end portion 142towards the second end portion 144 such that the stick 124 tapers ordecreases in width from a first width to a second width, which is lessthan the first width. By way of example only, the first width may beabout 309.6 millimeters (mm), and the second width may be about 249.6mm. In this example, the stick 124 has about a 20% reduction in widthand about a 30 mm reduction along each side. The dimensions providedherein are for purposes of illustration only. For example, otherembodiments may include a stick that is sized differently with larger orsmaller width dimensions.

The first and second widths of the stick 124 may be constantrespectively before and after the taper or inwardly angled side portions144, 146. For example, the first width may be constant along the stick124 from the first end portion 142 until the taper or inwardly angledside portions 144, 146. The second width may be constant along the stick124 from the taper or inwardly angled side portions 144, 146 to the noseor second end portion 144.

By way of example only, each of the first and second side portions 146,148 may first angle, slant, or bend inwardly at an angle of about tendegrees relative to the corresponding first and second sides 134, 136.Then, each of the first and second side portions 146, 148 may extendlinearly and then transition (e.g., angle, slant, or bend outwardly atabout ten degrees, etc.) into the corresponding first and second sides134, 136 along the second end portion 144 of the stick 124.Alternatively, the first and second side portions 146, 148 may beconfigured differently for providing the stick 124 with the narrowernose or end portion 144. For example, the first and second side portions146, 148 may be angled, slanted, sloped, or bent at an angle greaterthan or less than ten degrees depending, for example, on spaceconstraints and dimensions of the stick 124. Or, for example, the firstand second side portions 146, 148 may be configured as steps or stepdownportions perpendicular to the corresponding sides 134, 136 of the stick124. As yet another example, the stick 124 may include plates forachieving the change in width.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the coupler 140 includes a frame 160 havingfirst and second side plates 162, 164 interconnected and supported bycross plates or braces 190 (FIG. 6) and 192 (FIG. 7). In this exemplaryembodiment, the frame 160 of the coupler 140 includes only a single sideplate 162 along one side and only a single side plate 164 along theother side. The side plates 162, 164 may respectively define or residein a single plane along each side of the coupler 140.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, the side plates 162, 164respectively define a first pair of aligned openings 174, 176 and asecond pair of aligned openings 178, 180. The first pair of alignedopenings 174, 176 are configured to align with the opening 141 (FIGS. 4and 5) of the stick 124 for receiving a pin therethrough for couplingthe coupler 140 to the stick 124 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. Thesecond pair of aligned openings 178, 180 (FIG. 6) are configured forreceiving a pin for coupling the linkage 131 to the coupler 140 as alsoshown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

Collars or bosses 175 may be disposed along the outer surfaces of theside plates 162, 164 for providing or defining bearing surfaces. Pinsmay pass through the openings and be retained in the collars or bosses175. Locking pins may be inserted through openings 198 (FIG. 9) in thecollars or bosses 175 and corresponding slots within the pins to secureor lock the pins in place. In this illustrated embodiment, the collarsor bosses 175 are circular. Alternatively, the collars or bosses 175 maybe shaped differently, such as a non-circular shape for stressreduction, etc. In other exemplary embodiments, the coupler 140 may beused without any collars or bosses 175 along or on the outside of theside plates 162, 164.

A bottom portion of the coupler 140 is configured to detachably connectto the bucket 118 or other implement. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, thecoupler 140 includes recesses or notches 184, 188 (e.g., an open jaw,latch, hook, etc.) at opposite ends of the frame 160 that are configuredfor receiving corresponding pins of the bucket 118 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Thecoupler 140 may include a locking system 189 within the coupler frame160 as shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 6, a cover plate 193 may bepositioned between the coupler's side plates 162, 164 over the lockingsystem 189. The locking system 189 may be configured for moving a firstlatch 191 (FIG. 6) and a second latch 199 (FIG. 7) between unlatched andlatched positions relative to the respective recesses 184, 188 and pinstherein. In the latched positions, the first and second latches 191, 199are operable for securing the pins of the bucket 118 within the recesses184, 188, respectively.

In this exemplary embodiment, the frame 160 of the coupler 140 definesfirst and second face spreads 194, 195 (FIG. 8). The first face spread194 may be used for attaching the coupler 140 to the nose 144 of thestick 124 via openings 174, 176 and to the linkage 131 via openings 178,180. The second face spread 195 may be used for attaching the coupler140 to the bucket 118 or other implement. The first and second facespreads 194, 195 may also be referred to as a machine interface and anattachment interface, respectively.

The first and second face spreads 194, 195 are defined generally betweenthe first and second plates 162, 164 without any offset between thefirst and second face spreads 194, 195. The width of the first andsecond face spreads 194, 195 as defined between the first and secondside plates 162, 164 may be the same. By way of example only, the widthdefined between the first and second side plates 162, 164 may fallwithin a range from about 151 mm to about 373 mm (e.g., 151 mm, 211 mm,242 mm, 280 mm, 320 mm, 373 mm, etc.). The collars or bosses 175 mayeach have a width of about 40 or 45 mm, and the side plates 162, 164 mayeach have a width of about 30 mm. The overall width of the coupler 140at the first face spread or machine interface 194 may fall within arange from about 291 mm to about 523 mm (e.g., 291 mm, 361 mm, 392 mm,430 mm, 470 mm, 523 mm, etc.), which includes the width defined betweenthe first and second side plates 162, 164, the width of each side plate162, 164, and the width of two collars or bosses 175. The overall widthof the coupler 140 at the second face spread or attachment interface 195may fall within a range from about 211 mm to about 433 mm (e.g., 211 mm,271 mm, 302 mm, 340 mm, 380 mm, 433 mm, etc.). The dimensions providedherein are for purposes of illustration only. For example, otherembodiments may include a coupler that defines first and second facespreads having about the same width that is larger than 373 mm orsmaller than 151 mm.

The first side plate 162 of the coupler 140 may have a thickness aboutequal to a difference in the width of the stick's second end portion ornose 144 and the first end portion 142 along the first side 134 of thestick 124. The second side plate 164 of the coupler 140 may have athickness about equal to a difference in the width of the stick's secondend portion or nose 144 and the first end portion 142 along the secondside 136 of the stick 124. Accordingly, the outer surfaces of thecoupler's side plates 162, 164 may thus be coplanar with respectiveouter side surfaces (e.g., along the stick's first end portion 142,etc.) of the stick 124 before the taper or inwardly extending sideportions 146, 148.

The second end portion or nose 144 of the stick 124 may be narrower thanthe first end portion 142 by a predetermined amount on each of the firstand second sides 134, 136. The first and second side plates 162, 164 ofthe coupler 140 may each have a thickness about equal to thepredetermined amount such that there is no offset between the first facespread 194 and the second face spread 195. By way of example only, thepredetermined amount may be about 30 mm, and each side plate 162, 164may have a thickness of about 30 mm. Again, the dimensions providedherein are for purposes of illustration only as other embodiments mayinclude side plates sized differently with larger or smaller thicknessdimensions. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, thepredetermined amount and the thickness of the side plates may fallwithin a range from about 26 mm to about 30 mm.

As shown in FIG. 7, a lifting eye 197 may be secured to the plate 192 ofthe coupler 140. An article may be attached to the lifting eye 197 andlifted by the excavator 110.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The industrial applicability of the stick 124 and coupler 140 disclosedherein will be readily appreciated from the foregoing discussion. Thestick 124 and coupler 140 of the present disclosure may be applicable toa variety of machines, such as excavators and backhoes. In use, thestick 124 and coupler 140 may allow different implements to beinterchangeably connected to a machine, and thus provide the samefunctionality and versatility to the machine as a conventional stick andcoupler assembly. But in one or more exemplary embodiments, the stick124 and coupler 140 may have one or more (but not necessarily any orall) following features as compared to a conventional stick and couplerassembly, such as reduced weight, reduced coupler offset, reduced tipradius, and/or an improved coupler frame construction.

As disclosed herein, the end portion or nose 144 of the stick 124 isnarrowed or tapers such that the width between the stick's first andsecond side portions 146, 148 decreases. By way of example only, thestick 124 may taper or decrease in width from a first width of 309.6 mmto a second width of 249.6 mm. In this example, the stick 124 may haveabout a 30 mm width reduction along each side, which may be about equalto the thickness of the coupler's side plates 162, 164. This, in turn,may allow the coupler frame 160 to be configured without any offsetbetween the face spreads 194, 195 for attaching the coupler 140 to thestick 124 and the bucket 118 or other implement.

The coupler frame 160 may also have an improved construction with only asingle plate 162 or 164 along each side of the coupler 140, which maythereby reduce the part count and weight of the coupler 140. Bycomparison, the frame of a conventional coupler may include multiplenon-planar plates along each side, such as upper plate, a lower plate,and a spacer plate therebetween.

The stick 124 and coupler 140 of the present disclosure may also allowfor weight reductions (e.g., about 30 percent weight reduction, etc.).By way of example only, the stick 124 may have a weight of 610.1kilograms (kg), and the coupler 140 may have a weight of 264.1 kg. Thenarrower nose 144 of the stick 124 may also be used with a linkage 131that may be narrower and lighter than the bucket linkage used with aconventional stick. By way of example, the linkage 131 of the presentdisclosure may have a weight of 171.8 kg.

The coupler 140 may also allow for an offset reduction (e.g., about 10percent, etc.). By way of example only, the coupler offset or distanceas represented by the arrow 196 in FIG. 10 may be about 271 mm (e.g.,270.6 mm, etc.).

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail. In addition, advantages and improvements that maybe achieved with one or more exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure are provided for purposes of illustration only and do notlimit the scope of the present disclosure, as exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein may provide all or none of the above mentionedadvantages and improvements and still fall within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapesdisclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values andparticular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive ofother values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more ofthe examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any twoparticular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define theendpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the givenparameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value fora given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any valuebetween the first and second values could also be employed for the givenparameter). For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to havevalue A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned thatparameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z.Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges ofvalues for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping ordistinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value thatmight be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example,if parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may haveother ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3,3-10, and 3-9.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” “includes,”“having,” “have,” and “has” are inclusive and therefore specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, andoperations described herein are not to be construed as necessarilyrequiring their performance in the particular order discussed orillustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance.It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may beemployed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

The term “about” when applied to values indicates that the calculationor the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (withsome approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonablyclose to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecisionprovided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with thisordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at leastvariations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or usingsuch parameters. For example, the terms “generally,” “about,” and“substantially,” may be used herein to mean within manufacturingtolerances. Whether or not modified by the term “about,” the claimsinclude equivalents to the quantities.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section could be termed a second element, component, region,layer or section without departing from the teachings of the exampleembodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, intended orstated uses, or features of a particular embodiment are generally notlimited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, areinterchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if notspecifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in manyways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from thedisclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly for detachably connecting animplement to a boom of a machine, the assembly comprising: a stickhaving a first end portion configured for pivotal connection to theboom, and a second end portion narrower than the first end portion alongfirst and second sides of the stick; and a coupler configured fordetachably connecting the implement to the second end portion of thestick, the coupler including first and second side plates, the firstside plate having a thickness about equal to a difference in a width ofthe second end portion and the first end portion along the first side,and the second side plate having a thickness about equal to a differencein a width of the second end portion and the first end portion along thesecond side.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein: the second end portionis narrower than the first end portion by a predetermined amount on eachof the first and second sides of the stick; the first and second sideplates of the coupler define a first face spread for attaching thecoupler to the second end portion of the stick and a second face spreadfor attaching the coupler to the implement; and each of the first andsecond side plates of the coupler have a thickness about equal to thepredetermined amount, such that there is no offset between the firstface spread and the second face spread.
 3. The assembly of claim 1,wherein: the stick further comprises first and second side portionsalong the respective first and second sides of the stick between thefirst and second end portions; and the first and second side portionsare angled inwardly toward each other in a direction from the first endportion towards the second end portion.
 4. The assembly of claim 3,wherein each of the first and second side portions are angled inwardlyrelative to the first end portion at an angle less than or equal toninety degrees.
 5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein: the stick has afirst width defined between the first and second sides that is constantbetween the first end portion and the first and second side portions;the stick has a second width defined between the first and second sidesthat is constant between the second end portion and the first and secondside portions; and a distance between the first side portion and thesecond side portion decreases in a direction from the first end portiontowards the second end portion such that the stick tapers from the firstwidth down to the second width, which is less than the first width. 6.The assembly of claim 1, wherein outer surfaces of the first and secondside plates of the coupler are co-planar with respective outer sidesurfaces of the first end portion of the stick.
 7. The assembly of claim1, wherein: the second end portion is narrower than the first endportion by a predetermined amount on each of the first and second sidesof the stick; and each of the first and second side plates of thecoupler have a thickness about equal to the predetermined amount.
 8. Theassembly of claim 7, wherein: the predetermined amount is within a rangefrom about 26 millimeters to about 30 millimeters; and/or the coupler isa pin grabber coupler; and/or the second end portion of the stick has awidth defined between the first and second sides that is constant andthat is less than a width of the first end portion defined between thefirst and second sides, which is also constant; and/or the coupler isconfigured with a coupler offset of about 271 millimeters.
 9. A machinecomprising the assembly of claim 1, and further comprising: a frame; aboom pivotally connected to the frame; and an implement coupled to thesecond end portion of the stick by the coupler; wherein the first endportion of the stick is pivotally connected to the boom.
 10. A stick forconnecting a pin grabber coupler with a boom of a machine, the stickcomprising: an end portion configured for pivotal connection to the boomof the machine; and a nose configured for connection with the pingrabber coupler; wherein the nose is narrower than the end portion alongfirst and second sides of the stick thereby allowing a frame of the pingrabber coupler to be configured to define first and second face spreadsfor attaching the pin grabber coupler respectively to the nose and to animplement without any offset between the first and second face spreads.11. The stick of claim 10, further comprising first and second sideportions along the respective first and second sides of the stickbetween the end portion and the nose, wherein the first and second sideportions are angled inwardly toward each other in a direction from theend portion towards the nose, and wherein each of the first and secondside portions are angled inwardly relative to the end portion at anangle less than or equal to ninety degrees.
 12. The stick of claim 11,wherein: the stick has a first width defined between the first andsecond sides that is constant between the end portion and the first andsecond side portions; the stick has a second width defined between thefirst and second sides that is constant between the nose and the firstand second side portions; and a distance between the first side portionand the second side portion decreases in a direction from the endportion towards the nose such that the stick tapers from the first widthdown to the second width, which is less than the first width.
 13. Thestick of claim 10, wherein: the stick further comprises first and secondshoulder or step portions extending along the respective first andsecond sides of the stick between upper and lower surfaces of the stick;a distance between the first shoulder or step portion and the secondshoulder or step portion decreases in a direction from the end portiontowards the nose such that a width of the nose defined between the firstand second sides is less than a width of the end portion defined betweenthe first and second sides.
 14. An assembly comprising the stick ofclaim 10 and a pin grabber coupler, the pin grabber coupler including aframe defining first and second face spreads for attaching the pingrabber coupler respectively to the nose and to an implement without anyoffset between the first and second face spreads.
 15. An assemblycomprising the stick of claim 10 and a pin grabber coupler includingfirst and second side plates, wherein: the first side plate has athickness about equal to a difference in a width of the nose and the endportion along the first side; and the second side plate has a thicknessabout equal to a difference in a width of the nose and the end portionalong the second side.
 16. A machine comprising the stick of claim 10,and further comprising: a frame; a boom pivotally connected to theframe; a pin grabber coupler coupled to the nose of the stick; and animplement coupled to the pin grabber coupler; wherein the end portion ofthe stick is pivotally connected to the boom.
 17. A pin grabber couplerfor detachably connecting an implement to a stick of a machine, the pingrabber coupler comprising a frame defining first and second facespreads for attaching the pin grabber coupler respectively to a nose ofa stick and to an implement without any offset between the first andsecond face spreads.
 18. The pin grabber coupler of claim 17, whereinthe frame comprises first and second side plates defining the first andsecond face spreads therebetween such that a width of the first facespread is about equal to a width of the second face spread.
 19. Anassembly comprising the pin grabber coupler of claim 18 and a stickhaving a nose to which the pin grabber coupler is coupled and an endportion configured for pivotal connection to a boom of a machine,wherein the nose is narrower than the end portion along first and secondsides of the stick, and wherein: the first side plate has a thicknessabout equal to a difference in a width of the nose and the end portionalong the first side; and the second side plate has a thickness aboutequal to a difference in a width of the nose and the end portion alongthe second side.
 20. A machine comprising the pin grabber coupler ofclaim 17, and further comprising: a frame; a boom pivotally connected tothe frame of the machine; a stick having a nose coupled to the pingrabber coupler and an end portion pivotally connected to the boom; andan implement coupled to the pin grabber coupler.